National Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ:FIZZ) Stock Position Lifted by Teacher Retirement System of Texas

Teacher Retirement System of Texas grew its stake in shares of National Beverage Corp. (NASDAQ:FIZZ - Free Report) by 99.2% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 101,627 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 50,605 shares during the period. Teacher Retirement System of Texas owned approximately 0.11% of National Beverage worth $4,222,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in FIZZ. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of National Beverage in the fourth quarter valued at $9,718,000. Marshall Wace LLP grew its stake in National Beverage by 1,461.6% in the 4th quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 100,939 shares of the company's stock valued at $4,307,000 after acquiring an additional 94,475 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in National Beverage by 5,268.4% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 85,572 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,555,000 after acquiring an additional 83,978 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in National Beverage by 151.4% during the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 133,050 shares of the company's stock valued at $5,677,000 after acquiring an additional 80,126 shares in the last quarter. Finally, D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. raised its position in National Beverage by 47.1% during the fourth quarter. D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. now owns 216,763 shares of the company's stock worth $9,249,000 after acquiring an additional 69,400 shares during the last quarter. 23.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

National Beverage Stock Down 1.6%

Shares of FIZZ traded down $0.71 on Wednesday, hitting $44.88. 192,254 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 177,480. National Beverage Corp. has a 1 year low of $38.25 and a 1 year high of $53.01. The stock's 50 day moving average is $44.57 and its two-hundred day moving average is $42.82. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.44 and a beta of 0.81.

National Beverage (NASDAQ:FIZZ - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 2nd. The company reported $0.48 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts' consensus estimates of $0.48. National Beverage had a return on equity of 49.48% and a net margin of 15.55%. The company had revenue of $313.63 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $303.26 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.47 EPS.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Stanley Michael Sheridan sold 8,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.40, for a total transaction of $347,200.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 62,408 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,708,507.20. This trade represents a 11.36% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 74.80% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, UBS Group increased their price objective on National Beverage from $42.00 to $45.00 and gave the company a "sell" rating in a research note on Monday.

About National Beverage

National Beverage Corp., through its subsidiaries, develops, produces, markets, and sells a portfolio of sparkling waters, juices, energy drinks, and carbonated soft drinks primarily in the United States and Canada. The company's Power+ brand portfolio offers sparkling water products under the LaCroix, LaCroix Cúrate, and LaCroix NiCola; non-carbonated flavored water under the Clear Fruit; energy drink and shots under the Rip It; juice and juice-based products under Everfresh, Everfresh Premier Varietals, and Mr.